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P0336: Crankshaft position sensor A signal out of range

The crankshaft sensor signal is arriving, but with jumps that do not add up. Often dirt, a wire picking up interference or the toothed wheel.

Code P0336 at a glance
CodeP0336
SystemEngine and transmission
GroupP03xx, Ignition and misfires
TypeGeneric: it means the same on every make
Can you keep driving?With care

What P0336 means

The crankshaft sensor reads a toothed wheel that turns with the engine and tells the ECU how fast it is spinning and where the pistons are. It is one of the most important signals: without it the engine cannot time fuel or spark. Here the sensor works, but the ECU counts too many or too few teeth, or sees an irregular signal. Which sensor is "A" is up to each manufacturer; many cars only have one.

Most common causes

  • Sensor coated in metal filings
  • Poor contact at the connector
  • Wiring picking up interference (routed near ignition leads or the alternator)
  • Sensor not seated properly, too far from the wheel
  • Damaged, dirty or loose toothed wheel
  • Failed sensor

Symptoms

  • Jerking or misfiring under acceleration
  • Rough idle
  • Difficult starting
  • Occasional stalling

Can you drive with P0336?

With care You can drive with care, but the engine could cut out without warning. Get it to a garage soon.

How to check it

Watch live rpm at idle: it should be steady. If it jumps by hundreds of rpm without touching the throttle, the signal is arriving with interference.

How to read and clear P0336 with Final OBD

Plug an OBD2 scanner in under the steering wheel, switch the ignition on and open Final OBD. Under Faults you’ll see P0336 with this same explanation and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.

With Free you read this code with its short description for nothing, and clear it if the engine stores it over standard OBD. With Pro you get the full explanation, how the car was running when it was logged (revs, temperature, load) and clearing in every control unit.

Clearing the code only turns the light off: if the cause is still there, it comes back. Clear it once it’s fixed, and not right before the ITV. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in the ITV and OBD.

Similar codes

P0336 is a generic code, so it means the same on any make, for example on BMW, Fiat, Ford, Mazda, Peugeot, Volkswagen. See what Final OBD does on your car in makes and models.

What does code P0336 mean?

The crankshaft sensor reads a toothed wheel that turns with the engine and tells the ECU how fast it is spinning and where the pistons are. It is one of the most important signals: without it the engine cannot time fuel or spark. Here the sensor works, but the ECU counts too many or too few teeth, or sees an irregular signal. Which sensor is "A" is up to each manufacturer; many cars only have one.

Can you drive with P0336?

You can drive with care, but the engine could cut out without warning. Get it to a garage soon.

How do you clear P0336?

With an OBD2 scanner and an app like Final OBD, which clears it for free if it’s stored by the engine control unit. But clearing it only turns the light off: if the cause isn’t fixed, P0336 comes back.